I gaze up at the stars
while my hands clench the bars.
You can see the pain in my knuckles.
I been standing here so long,
my knees are about to buckle.
But I refuse to fall,
because there is no one here
to pick me back up.
So I must remain standing tall.

I constantly find myself reminiscent
about things I’m missing.
As I gaze up at the stars,
about FAMILY, RELATIONSHIPS, FRIENDSHIP,
MONEY, SEX AND CARS.

On the inside,
all we want most is to know:
Are we forgotten on the outside?
Because here they have taken everything else
from us except our pride.

I still got my integrity and dignity,
because I am a man.
They’ll take that too if they can,
and say it was contraband.
If you want to know what compliance means,
take a good look at our chow-line
then you will understand.

They dictate to a man,
how to wear his shirt and pants.
When and where to walk and stand.
And what signals not to do with his hands.
Then they got the nerve to give you a hat,
and tell you how to wear that.

The only reason why we in compliance,
is because we are threatened with
TICKETS, C-GRADE, AND SEGREGATION
for our defiance.

But I don’t plan to live the rest of my life
by the rules made by man.
that’s why I keep the SCRIPTURES,
the HOLY words, in my head,
while these bars are in my hand.
Until, I go back to common land,
on the outside.

I’m not takin’ nothing with me
from the inside but my pride.
I’m leavin’ the GAME, SLICK SLANG AND QUO*S.
Because I’m aware of the fact
that I’ll be surrounded by LIARS, HYPOCRITES, AND CUTTHROATS
On the outside.

But I will be sure to take note,
to advantage of the time with
my WIFE, FAMILY, and NEW HOPE.

The stars are fading away,
because the sun is coming up.
I’m still holding these bars
and standing up.
ON THE INSIDE
OF THE PENITENTIARY.

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